Dana R. Wright is 1st deputy chief of police at
the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Chicago, Illinois. She has nearly 15
years of law enforcement experience and several years of administrative
and executive leadership experience with one of the largest sheriff’s
offices in the nation. Previously at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office,
Wright served as bureau chief of human resources, deputy chief of staff,
and executive director of training.

She launched Wright Vision Consulting, LLC in June 2013. In that
role, Wright mentors and coaches young girls and other women in law
enforcement in their personal and professional lives, helping them reach
their fullest potential.

Wright is a graduate of the highly competitive FBI National Academy
in Quantico, Virginia, after being selected as the first female in her
organization’s history to attend. She was named by Diversity MBA magazine as one of the Top
100 Under 50 Diverse Executive Leaders and is a recent recipient of the
Benedictine University 2013 Alumni Service Award.

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My life’s experiences and academic journey have not been
traditional or typical, but the results have been very satisfying. What I
experienced at Benedictine University is often hard for me to describe
because I gained so much from my time there. I believe that as a result
of the quality liberal arts education I received at Benedictine, I am a
well-rounded, college-educated adult with a zest for life and great
plans to use the humanities, arts, and critical-thinking lessons I
acquired in the classroom to make my mark on the world in a positive
way.

My
liberal arts education allowed me to explore and see things from many
angles; it allowed me to be creative and stretch my limits.

Initially, I came to the classroom with passion—but a bit of
uncertainty. Fortunately, Benedictine’s exceptional curriculum and
dedicated professors lead me to realize potential I had no idea existed.
The courses planted seeds that I saw manifest as I progressed through
my studies, worked within student teams, and completed assignments. My
liberal arts education allowed me to explore and see things from many
angles; it allowed me to be creative and stretch my limits.

My classroom experiences were immediately translatable into action
and are the reason I was able to excel and be noticed within my work
organization. I saw results immediately and was given responsibilities
and positions I don’t think I would have been recognized to receive if I
hadn’t learned to be more assertive and use the gifts that my
coursework allowed me showcase.

Today, in my position of leadership, I often recall lessons learned
and apply them as I guide my teams and encourage them to become
stronger leaders and to make better decisions. I am more confident in my
decisions and abilities and try to serve as a mentor to those coming
through the ranks with a vision and a dream to be where I have been
fortunate to be. Launching my first business definitely is a result of
my experience at Benedictine and the education I received. I am
determined to help others achieve and realize the potential they are
capable of experiencing through my coaching services at Wright Vision
Consulting, LLC.

Although I may be biased, I would not hesitate to encourage a
parent or a student looking for a great liberal arts education to
consider Benedictine University, because I truly believe that the
curriculum and the professors were the conduits that helped me find my
voice, direction, and purpose.